Dictionary

monkey model en · NOUN

Etymology

Coined by Soviet and Russian writer Viktor Suvorov in 1982

Meanings

1. (informal) A downgraded version of a weapon for export or war-time mass production, which lacks many advanced functions of the original version.
   • Even if the Russia continues the “monkey model” policy for export gear, a downgrade T-14 could still stack up well against Western tanks, like the Abrams, Leopard 2, and Challenger 2. 2015 May 22, Christian Beekman, “Why Russia’s New Tanks Are A Wake-Up Call For The US”, in Task & Purpose:
   • But as Suvorov observes, the Soviets manufacture two variants of equipment: the standard model and the stripped-down “monkey” model for export, which is sold abroad as “latest” equipment. 1983, Terry B. O’Rourke, “The Soviet Threat”, in Claremont Review of Books, volume 11, number 4:
   • 1974 […] Development of initial export ("monkey model") version of T-72 2013 February 14, “Military Vehicles Forecast: T-72”, in Forecast International:
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see monkey, model.

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